Friday, August 31, 2007

Florida: Boy, 11, charged with breaking into home, trying to slash cat's neck and when he failed at that, he killed it by cooking it to death in the dryer

FLORIDA -- A Florida judge ordered a psychological evaluation Thursday for an 11-year-old boy charged with breaking into a home and killing a cat.

The boy, who has not been identified because of his age, faces charges that include animal cruelty and burglary, WKMG-TV in Orlando reported. He allegedly wanted to get even after an argument with another boy in Titusville, Fla.

The judge ordered the 11-year-old to spend three days in the juvenile detention center in Brevard County for the evaluation. The boy will then be released to the custody of his parents, and may only leave home to go to school or when escorted by one of his parents.

Investigators said the boy broke into the house and tried to slash the cat’s throat. When that failed, he put the animal in the dryer and turned it on.

He has been ordered to refrain from all contact with the family that owns the cat.

(UPI - Aug 31, 2007)

Oklahoma: Roberta Christian and her husband Darrell Christian starved their horses but won't spend one single night in jail

OKLAHOMA -- A woman accused of neglecting her horses will not see any prison time. Roberta Christian was arrested back in May, along with her husband Darrell Christian.

Sheriff's deputies say many of the horses were malnourished and some were in confined spaces. Deputies say they had to use machinery to pry the gate off one of the stalls, because it was blocked by so much manure. 

The News On 6's Steve Berg reports Roberta Christian pleaded no contest to one count of animal cruelty Monday, and gets a four-year deferred sentence.


Christian avoided our camera at the Tulsa County Courthouse after she entered her plea on Monday. She was originally charged with two-dozen counts of animal cruelty, although all but one of those were dropped. As part of her sentence, she will be supervised and the judge ruled she can not own or possess any more animals.

The animals she did own are still at Tom Giles Ranch in Pryor, where he's cared for them for the past three months.

"Some of them were pretty thin, and some of them I guess had been in such a small place, a few of the mares, they couldn't hardly walk, they just staggered when they walked," said rancher Tom Giles. "Y'know, if you sat for two months and then got up, you'd almost have to learn to walk again."

Giles says all but one of the horses, a stallion who had serious problems with his front feet, have recovered.

"They run and played and you could tell they were glad to be out, and they could kick up their heels and play a little bit," Giles said.

Giles says he was told by the sheriff's office that the horses will go up for sale on Saturday, September 8th, except for the stallion, which they're hoping someone will adopt, because they say he will need special medical attention.

"And the vet said that he thinks he'll get okay, but it's going to take him about a year," said Giles.


Roberta Christian's husband Darrell Christian pleaded guilty to six counts of animal cruelty. He also received a four year (suspended) deferred sentence.

The horses will be auctioned off on Saturday, September 8th at the Collinsville Stockyards. The stockyards are located just off U.S. Highway 169 at 36th Street North. The 21 horses will be auctioned during the horse portion of the auction. That portion of the auction will get underway at 12:30 p.m. on September 8th. For more information call Collinsville Livestock Sales at 918-371-4422.

(NewsOn6 - Aug 31, 2007)

Earlier:

Saving Of Boy’s Ear Seems Doubtful After Dog Attack

OHIO -- Doctors in Clark County said they are not sure if they will be able to save a boy’s ear after a dog attacked him.

The 6-year-old is in a local hospital after he was attacked by a dog while he was in his grandfather’s back yard. The incident happened in the 900 block of West Pleasant Drive in Springfield.


Police said officers arrived and were forced to shoot the dog after the dog became out of control.

The Humane Society said unneutered, male dogs are more prone to attack.

(WHIO - Aug. 31, 2007)

Earlier:

Child Recovering After Being Bit By Dog In Springfield

OHIO -- A 6-year-old Springfield boy may lose an ear after he was attacked by a dog Thursday night.

It happened at the child's grandfather's house in the 900 block of West Pleasant.


Officials said the boy was bitten on the head and police called the Humane Society to pick up the dog but when it got away, an officer shot and killed it.

The child was removed to a local hospital. There was no word on his condition.

(WHIO - Aug. 30, 2007)

Monday, August 20, 2007

Australian woman killed by her pet camel

AUSTRALIA -- An Australian woman was killed by a pet camel given to her as a 60th birthday present after the animal apparently tried to have sex, police said Sunday.

The woman, whose name was not released, was killed Saturday at her family's sheep and cattle ranch near Mitchell, 350 miles west of the Queensland state capital Brisbane, state police Detective Senior Constable Craig Gregory said.

The 10-month-old male camel — weighing about 330 pounds — knocked the woman to the ground, lay on top of her, then exhibited what police suspect was mating behavior, Gregory said.

"I'd say it's probably been playing, or it may be even a sexual sort of thing," Gregory said, adding the camel almost suffocated the family's pet goat by straddling it on several occasions.

Camel expert Chris Hill said he had no doubt the camel's behavior was sexual.

Hill, who has offered camel rides to tourists for 20 years, said young camels are not aggressive, but can be dangerous if treated as pets without discipline.

The fate of the camel was not known.

The woman was given the camel in March as a birthday present from her husband and daughter. "She had a love of exotic pets," Gregory said.

(CBS News - August 19, 2007)

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Thomaston Man Charged with Animal Cruelty

GEORGIA -- Upson County Animal Control officers responded to a case of animal cruelty Tuesday, August 7, after a call from a concerned neighbor.

Animal Control Officer Smart Web, two assistants from the Upson County Animal Control office and Upson County Sheriffs Department Deputy David Walker made a visit to a Denton Street residence where witnesses reported several dogs living in questionable conditions.

Upon arrival officers found four dogs, three male and one female, living in substandard conditions.

All were found without adequate water and food, and suffering from flea infestation. Three of the dogs were chained to trees and did not have access to housing in weather that has exceeded 100 degrees for over a week.

Authorities say the female dog had suffered the worst of the neglect. After observing, she was found to have an old wound, most likely a break to her foot, that was not treated by a veterinarian. This resulted in the foot “healing” itself and growing backward. She was forced to walk on only three feet because of the wound.

“After we had assessed all the dogs and were loading them up to take to the shelter, the owner arrived,” said Web. “ He was agitated by our presence and became somewhat irate.”

Web says the owner explained that the dogs had been there only for one night and had been moved there because the family was relocating. Others on the scene could not corroborate the owners story and witnesses to the neglect say the dogs have been suffering for well over two weeks, often crying out in the night, prompting neighbors to feed and water the neglected pets.

Authorities have charged Michael Ledford, 561 Denton Street, with one felony count of animal cruelty and three counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty. Ledford was also charged with four violations of the county ordinance because none of the dogs had records of rabies shots.

The dogs are currently being housed at the Thomaston-Upson Animal Shelter. According to Web, the owner will be served with a letter informing him of his rights to the animals and will have 10 days to answer before they become property of the shelter.

(Thomaston Times - August 13, 2007)